World map, load times, dragoons, multiplayer, development trivia and more in latest interview.

This week's Dengeki PlayStation has a huge feature on Final Fantasy Type-0. Joining first details on the game's magic and Crystarium system, which we summed up here, the magazine also has an interview with director Hajime Tabata and art director Yusuke Naora. Here are some of the major points from the interview, based off a summary that appeared at [email protected]

On Type 0's DevelopmentType-0 was announced in 2006. At the time, only Tabata, Naora and Tetsuya Nomura were on the staff. Work was being done on Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII, so it was only in 2008 that actual development began. Even then, the development team had to work on The 3rd Birthday, so Type-0's development was kept at a minimum level for about a year.

Naora said that this is the longest he's ever worked on a single game. At the time of the game's announcement, they had nothing but a single main visual ready.

On PriceTabata admitted that the price is a bit on the high side, but he said the quality and volume would match the price.

On Naora's InvolvementNaora is overseeing the main visual and the designs of each of the game's countries. Co Art Director Yusaku Nakaai is working on characters and monsters.

On Multiplayer PlayHere's a bit about how the game's multiplayer component will work. As previously detailed, Type-0 isn't played multiplayer for extended periods. Instead, other players come into your game to assist briefly during battle.

There are two sides to the multiplayer experience: the host player and the guest players. To play as a guest and join a host's game, you need to select a special mode from the title screen. Hosts can play just like normal and guests will jump in during combat. Hosts can toggle multiplayer on and off during missions.

There are various merits for guest players. In addition to added experience, guests get other "special points" which can be used to unlock a certain feature. Details will be provided in a later update.

On the Concordia KingdomThe Concordia Kingdom, one of four countries in the world, is given special attention in this issue. The magazine introduces two characters who appeared in the recent trailer, Andoria and Hoshihime (I believe Hoshihime is also known as Celestia). Andoria is princess of Concordia and is the only one who has ties with the Queeen Dragon, a physical form of the Souryu Crystal (that's the crystal that Concordia houses -- each kingdom has a crystal and a "Peristylium" which protects it). Hoshihime is part of Akatoki, one of the five knight groups that protects the Concordia's Souryu Peristylium.

Regarding Concordia, Tabata said that all the members of government are female. He also noted that one mission from the game's demo (which is playable at an ongoing Odaiba event) takes place in Concordia.

Naora noted that although the people of Concordia aren't strong physically, they have military power due to their ability to summon and control dragons and monsters. Different from the three other countries, Concordia has a strong feeling of fantasy to it, he said.

Given Concordia's connections with dragons, you may be hoping for a dragoon character class. Due to the game setting, you won't find dragoons in the game, said Naora. However, there will be enemies of this form.

On Main CharactersTabata once again attempted to explain the game's unconventional handling of main characters. Type-0 is not told from a specific perspective. It's meant to show historically what actions were taken by Class Zero (this is the class the game's playable characters are in). So, rather than saying there's a main character, Class Zero is the main role. Tabata also reiterated that the Machina and Rem characters are special, although this doesn't mean that they're the main character and heroine.

On the Main MapYou're free to roam the game's world map even when you're not taking on a mission. If you encounter a monster, you'll get into a battle.

The world map is full of play elements, Tabata noted. There's an RTS (real time strategy) component, for instance. This was shown in the live demo session that was broadcast a couple of months back on Nico Nico.

The RTS component isn't a hardcore RTS game, though. It's just beginners stuff. You can play the RTS elements as mini games in the various areas where your country's armies are fighting other countries. Win, and you'll take the land as your own and will be able to use the towns.

One area of concern about the world map, Tabata admitted, is load times. They're pushing the quality to the limits, so the load times have gotten a bit on the high side. He assured that this won't be a problem for those who use the game's data install feature.

Square Enix is readying a soundtrack for Final Fantasy Type-0. The soundtrack's official site went live today.

Two versions of the soundtrack will be released on October 12. A first print run limited edition includes a special package and a DVD with trailer movies. This version is priced ¥3,800. The standard version of the soundtrack is priced ¥3,300.

You might have suspected as much when Square Enix gave a name to the Final Fantasy Type-0 demo that was shown at an Odaiba event a couple of weeks back. Today, we have confirmation courtesy of Famitsu: that demo, known as "Natsubi," will be released as a free download.

The downloadable version of the demo will see some adjustments for home play.

The magazine does not share timing for the demo's release, but you can get an early preview through this walkthrough video that Famitsu.com shared a couple of weeks back.

A few more details about the Final Fantasy Type-0 playable demo slipped out. According to Famitsu leaks, the demo will have at least four missions.

Operation Empire Escape (difficulty level: normal) – the first mission you can choose, a battle with Byakko troops.
Giudecca Battle (difficulty level: hard) – reach the destination and take out the Soryu army. It’s recommended to use Shiva here.
Operation Rush the Big Bridge (difficulty level: very hard) – reach the destination and take out Empire units. You’ll find several pieces of magic armor here. Again, summons are recommended.
Operation Breakthrough the Heart of the Enemy (difficulty level: impossible) – a clash with the Empire army in a forest. Players are advised to level up their characters and enhance their equipment before taking on this stage.

Famitsu says players will be able to use the following characters and commands in the demo. (T – triangle, C – circle, S – square, X – cross)

Machina

T: Bolt Rapier

C: Spin Drive

S: Thunder SHG (shotgun)

X: Cure

Rem

T: Dagger

C: Fire RF (rifle)

S: Thunder SHG (shotgun)

X: Cure

Ace

T: Card

C: Deck Open

S: Blizzard BOM (bomb)

X: Cure

Queen
T: Long Sword

C: Cross Judge

S: Fira MIS2 (missile)

X: Cure

Nine

T: Spear

C: Jump

S: Fire RF (rifle)

X: Defend

Sice

T: Scythe

C: Dark Nebula

S: Thunder MIS (missile)

X: Cure

King

T: Handgun

C: Powered Bullet

S: Blizzard ROK (rocket launcher)

X: Defend

The demo will be available in September. Final Fantasy Type-0 comes out on October 13 in Japan.

The world of Final Fantasy Type-0 consists of four countries, each with its own crystal that is protected by a "Peristerium" organization. Square Enix's latest update on the game provided us with a detailed look at each country.

Rebrum

Home to the main characters, who attend the Peristerium Suzaku, a magic school. The nation is governed by a group of eight who also head up the school.

Attendees at the Peristerium are selected by the crystal for their magic ability, and following entrance exams are split into appropriate classes. The characters you control are all in Class 0.

The head of state is the school chancellor, Khalia Chival VI, who was known as a great sorcerer in his youth.

Milites

An empire whose emperor has gone missing. Admiral Cid Aulstyne now handles all matters of government, and desires to obtain the crystals from the other three nations.

Cid also heads the Byakko Peristerium, an organization that conducts research into the energy from the Byakko crystal. This energy is used for military and domestic affairs.

Different from the crystals of other countries, whose power can be wielded only by a select few (like the students in Suzaku), the power of the Byakko crystal is used to create weapons and "Mado Armor" mecha, which can be used by all citizens. This has allowed the army to develop into a force of many tens of thousands.

Lolica

In Lolica Commonwealth, located in a harsh mountain region, Genbu Peristerium manages the Genbu Crystal. The people of Lolica directly take in the power of the crystal to strengthen their bodies, making them bigger than the people of other countries. Pretty much all citizens serve as knights for the country.

A central figure in Lolica is Gilgamesh, a l'Cie from the Genbu Crystal. He has forgotten his focus (mission) and appears on the battle field attempting to target opponents' weapons.

The l'Cie in Type-0 appear to be similar to the l'Cie in FFXIII -- they're given a focus, here by the crystal, and hold greater power than a normal human.

Concordia

A kingdom that manages the Souryu Crystal. The people of Concordia use the power of the Souryu Crystal to communicate with dragons and monsters, an ability that is used to aid in daily life and to give military strength. Most citizens are small framed even as adults, and soldiers rely on speed and lengthy spheres for combat.

Top posts in the Concordia government are held by women. The highest figure is Andoria, the queen. She's the physical representation of the Souryu Crystal, and the only one who can communicate with the Queen Dragon.

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